QUETTA/GWADAR: Electricity supply from Iran to all three districts of Makran division was suspended on Sunday after four pylons collapsed because of heavy rain and gusty winds.

Torrential rain also played havoc in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, causing widespread damage.

“Four towers of a high transmission line supplying electricity to Makran division from Iran fell down due to strong winds, thunderstorm and heavy rain in Gawak area, resulting in suspension of electricity to the three districts of the division,” Makran grid station’s executive engineer Nasibullah told Dawn.

He said teams of engineers and technical staff had been sent to Gawak for repairing the towers, but restoration of power supply might take five to seven days.

Heavy showers lashed Quetta, Kalat, Zhob, Pishin, Khanozai, Kuchlak, Panjpai, Ziarat, Hana Orak, Saranan, Harnai, Dukki, Kolpur, Muach, Mastung and others areas where roofs and walls of mud-houses collapsed.

According to officials, flash floods in storm water streams caused suspension of traffic on Karachi-Quetta and Sibi-Quetta highways for some time.

In Quetta, the chocked sewerage system overflowed and rainwater inundated the main city roads, entering houses and shops and creating numerous problems for people. The local Met office forecast more rain for the next few days. “A fresh rain system has entered Balochistan and more rain is expected in parts of the province, especially in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Harnai, Shirani, Musakhel, Barkhan, Mastung and others areas,” it said.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2015

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